Saint-Gobain's Devens arrival helps win it MassEcon award

Saint-Gobain's decision to open a new light-manufacturing facility at the former Evergreen Solar plant won the French-based building-materials giant a MassEcon award. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE FILE PHOTO

WATERTOWN -- Saint-Gobain, the French-based building-materials giant that filled about half of the cavernous space left vacant by the closing of Evergreen Solar's plant in Devens, was recently named among the winners of MassEcon's 2013 Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards.

The awards recognize companies that make outstanding contributions to the state economy.

MassEcon, a nonprofit that serves as the state's private-sector partner in promoting Massachusetts, said in a press release that selections were made after site visits and a reception with their competitors and judges at the UMass Club with state Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki.

Saint-Gobain expanded its Massachusetts presence by occupying about half of the vacant Evergreen Solar building in Devens, adding about 100 jobs. For that, Saint-Gobain earned a "Bronze" award.

Evergreen closed the plant in March 2011, putting 800 people out of work. A year later, the 448,000-square-foot building on 112 Barnum Road was eventually sold to a partnership involving New York-based Hackman Capital and Hudson-based Calais for $8.53 million.

In June 2012, Saint-Gobain, which already had operations in Worcester, announced plans to occupy half of the Evergreen plant to make parts for LED lights. It said it planned to bring nearly 100 jobs.

Saint-Gobain was among 23 companies named for MassEcon awards.

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Others named in the Central Mass. region include Unum and St. Vincent Hospital, both of Worcester.

"MassEcon is proud to celebrate these companies for staying and growing here," said MassEcon Executive Director Susan Houston, in a statement. "We appreciate the commitment and and investment these companies have made in Massachusetts."

Fourteen companies were named statewide. Awards will be presented at a luncheon on Nov. 26 at the Renaissance Waterfront Hotel in Boston.

"It's especially gratifying to see growth in all regions of the state," Houston said.

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